PROPOSED 2020 VERSATILITY RULE CHANGES
19.1 Trail Obstacle In Hand
The In Hand trail horse gives the impression of
being able to negotiate any obstacle in-hand on
a trail ride. It can maneuver through a course of
obstacles quietly, obediently, with physical skill
and a good attitude. It should travel through and
between obstacles in a forward manner without
compromising its calm, relaxed attitude and way of
going. It should approach each obstacle in a round
relaxed frame looking down on approach in a thinking
manner viewing the needs required of it to begin and
complete the obstacle with no apparent resistance.
The in-hand trail horse is skillful, confident and safe.
4. When executing a turn to the right, the exhibitor
should face the horse and move the horse
away from them. On turns of less than 90
degrees, it is acceptable to lead the horse toward
them. On turns of 90 degrees or greater, the
horse should pivot on the right or left hind leg
while stepping across with the front legs.
a. The exhibitor should be positioned at the
horse's left should er while leading. The
obstacle is performed by sending rather
than dragging or pulling the horse.
b. The horse should move forward as directed,
correctly and smoothly. When backing, the
exhibitor may turn and face the horse.
c. Stops should be smooth with
the horse's body straight.
Class Specifications
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Competitors may use English or Western tack
and attire but not a combination of both.
Horse shall be shown in a halter.
No crop, whip, chaps, chinks or spurs allowed.
The horse shall be led using the right
hand. Excess lead should be held
loosely, looped in the left hand.
Exhibitor Requirements
1. Exhibitor must use only the right hand on
the lead where the chain begins, and lead on
the horse’s left side. A chain may be used
under the chin or hanging from the halter.
Exhibitor must use only the left hand to carry
the excess lead, looped loosely except when:
a. Carrying an object from one part
of the arena to another.
b. Dragging an object from one part
of the arena to another.
c. Opening/closing a gate, left hand gate
only. In these cases, the right hand
can also carry the excess lead.
d. Side-passing. In this case, the lead at
the chain and the excess lead can be
held in the hand at the horse’s head.
2. Exhibitors should be poised, confident,
courteous and sportsmanlike at all times. The
exhibitor should continue showing the horse
until the class has been placed or excused.
3. Any stops should be straight, smooth and
responsive with the horse’s body remaining
straight. Backing and turning should be
performed from the left side of the horse.
The exhibitor should face the horse when
backing. Exception: When negotiating a
gate, the exhibitor is not required to face
the horse. The horse should back up readily
with the head, neck and body aligned in
a straight or curved line as instructed.
Judging
Judges should consider the overall appearance of the
horse, conditioning and grooming, and the equipment
(dirty, ill-fitting or ragged equipment) in their overall
scores. Also to be considered is the correctness of
the horse while being led. Drifting to the side, leading
or stopping crooked, failure to maintain a pivot foot
in a turn, leading or turning sluggishly should be
considered and evaluated in the horse's maneuver
scores and reflected in his overall score. Handlers
should be discouraged from excessive verbal cues
and excessive stiff or unnatural movements around
horse or when leading. For safety reasons, those
handlers continuously holding the chain on the
lead, tightly coiling lead shank around hand, or
dragging the lead shank should be penalized.
Penalties
Penalties covered in Trail Obstacle as
applicable are addressed in section
19.4.1 in addition to the following:
The exhibitor will be penalized utilizing the
obstacle scoring guidelines for the following:
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Blatant disobedience of the horse to include
kicking, bucking, rearing, circling the exhibitor
Changing hands except when necessary
to side pass to the right
Dragging the horse
Holding the horse tightly and/ or by
the chain on the lead rope
Excessive verbal and/or physical
praise or correction
Touching the horse
Failure to demonstrate correct gait
Horse gets loose from exhibitor
Leading from the wrong side
NWHA National News / November 2019
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